Roger Munns

Majorca hotels and Majorca villas are online at yourmajorca.net

For a range of properties for sale in Menorca visit http://www.yourmenorca.net/property

Information about Monte Carlo residency is at monacoproperty.net

For hotels in Andorra visit http://www.yourandorra.com/hotels

Villa holiday companies offering holiday villas in Menorca are available at yourmenorca.net For the summer months they have the Menorca weather in May

Since the seventies Majorca has been the favourite destination for European holidaymakers, and has helped Spain to be the holiday country it is today. But with the Euro strong against the pound, British tourists have been swapping Majorca for Turkey.

The second smallest country in the world, Monaco is building a new island to house museums, schools and apartment buildings in the European tax haven. And with it could come a landmark to rival those of London's Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

The latest reports from Malta suggest that there could be a rise of as much as ten per cent in tourists this year. If the reports are correct it's been an excellent year for the holiday island in the Mediterranean sun.

Bank and government warnings have been coming thick and fast that real estate prices in the U.S. and Europe are likely to fall heavily in 2008 and through to 2009. But the tax haven of Andorra goes against economic reasoning and could see a rise in value this year - over the inflation rate - just as it has done over the last five years. There are good reasons why demand for Andorra property - and a further rise in value - is likely to happen. The top reason is that Andorra is a tax haven, and the wealthy buy property to gain Andorra residency for her tax haven status. Even in times of recession Andorra is popular as the wealthy want to preserve their wealth, and having Andorra residency means their capital is free of many of the taxes they would have to pay in their homeland. Andorra is also known for her ski holidays, competing directly with ski holidays in France - and Andorra apartments are often bought by skiers for a holiday home, and rented out for income while not skiing themselves. A third stream of buyers come from the local market, Andorra has some 80,000 people living in the country full time, with many people upgrading or downsizing, meaning Andorra has three streams of property buyers - the local market, those buying for her tax haven status, and holiday home buyers for the skiing. Andorra Last year saw a slowing down of the world's economy, and property markets shortly after the economic downturn news slowed down too. Andorra achieved a near 5 per cent increase in her property values in 2007, and some potential buyers considering residency are assuming that Andorra real estate could see a fall in value in the year ahead, as other markets start to fall. But according to Tribune Properties, who specialise in Andorra real estate, they could well be wrong in their assumptions. They report that based on the first half of 2008, the full year will be similar to 2007, with a near 5 per cent rise in property values.

The Spanish island of Menorca has built her reputation as a holiday island on the island's strengths - peace and tranquility. But they have welcomed the fastest cars and the drivers in the world of F1...

For more Majorca details visit http://www.yourmajorca.net/flights

Sophistication and the glamour of Monte Carlo is known the world over, with some of the best hotels, the casino, Grand Prix and celebrities tripping over each other. But as Prince Albert of Monaco turns 50, he is becoming increasingly known more for his stand on the environment than as a playboy royal.

More information for Andorra can be found at http://www.yourandorra.com and for Monaco at http://www.yourmonaco.com

YourMalta.com has information on airlines who offer cheap Malta flights, a five day Malta weather forecast including today's weather in Malta and villa holiday companies including Algarve villa holidays.

Low lying European ski countries last year who saw a decline in ski holiday visitors, including Andorra, have been investing in her facilities to try and tempt the skiiers she lost back for the 2008 season. In the past Andorra has grown in stature from a destination offering cheap ski holidays to one that can compete with the best that Europe has to offer, with a growing number of ski holidays being taken in the country over the last decade to the point where it was attracting some ten million tourists a year. But unexpectedly the rise in visitors to Andorra came to a screeching halt for the 2006/7 ski season, and the ski slopes closed two weeks earlier than anticipated due to a lack of snow that saw many other resorts in Europe, especially in countries with low lying slopes like Austria, badly affected by the lack of natural snow. The Andorra economy is unusually reliant on the ski holidays industry, the other main activity being the financial and banking industry due to her tax haven status, and the Andorra weather refused to play her part last year.

Monaco and Andorra - Europe's top two tax havens - are seeing an influx of funds to their banks, despite governments worldwide actively trying to stop their citizens using tax havens to bank their money. The financial industry in Monaco is attracting money from wealthy individuals seeking a degree of privacy, and keeping their assets away from the clutches of their governments at record levels with most of the money coming from the Middle East and Europe. While the banks will not disclose the volume of money they have attracted recently, some industry analysts estimate it could be as much as 20 billion Euros over the last eighteen months, with 70 billion in total managed assets overall. Over the last year and a half some of the big names in the banking and finance industries have set up offices in Monaco, including Goldman Sachs.

Cheap flights from low cost airlines operating out of the UK and other European countries could be under threat as the Conservative Party - once a campaigner and implementer of lower taxes - has called for purchase tax to be introduced to domestic flights. The tax would add up to 17.5 per cent on to the cost of a flight from one British city to another, but while flights to the European mainland and popular holiday islands such as Menorca aren't specifically mentioned, one travel company believes the new policy will inevitably lead to higher fares for flights not just within Britain, but elsewhere too. The Tory policy review calls for the UK to be a leader on green growth, noting that it was illogical for flights to attract less tax than cars and trains, with David Cameron, the Tory Party leader, saying that much of the report would be included in their manifesto at the next British General Election, which could be up to two years away, but at the time could have been just weeks away as Prime Minister Gordon Brown considered an early poll. 'It's not so much that we're convinced the Tories will win the next election and tax domestic flights', say the travel company, 'But by proposing new taxes on flights it leads the door open to the Labour Party, who are more likely to win, to use taxes on flights as a revenue raiser with no opposition from the Tories who are traditionally seen as the tax cutting party.

A yearly battle between Mediterranean holiday resorts to attract visiting tourists and their wallets each summer is over, and it appears that the Spanish island of Majorca has won over the British market at least. Since the advent of package holidays some fifty years ago initiated by holiday companies such as Thomas Cook and Thomson Holidays, whole areas of Spain and other European countries have built their economies around tourism, and each year they hope that the holidaymakers will come to their area.

Andorra has been transformed in the past forty years from a poor European country with no real economy to a vibrant independent State, sought after by the wealthy for her tax haven status, and skiers for her ski runs that match the best in Europe for facilities and ski holidays infrastructure. The one drawback that Andorra has had is the distance from a major airport, two and a half hours drive to Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, with some ski holidays starting with a night in one of the Barcelona hotels before setting off for Andorra. But that is set to change with agreement for an aiport to be built just fifteen minutes drive from the Spanish / Andorra border. As well as the extra ski tourists the new airport will impact Andorra as a tax haven.

With a General Election possibly just four weeks away, the British Conservative Party is producing policy reviews that could be adopted for their manifesto - and should they win ultimately become part of a new administration's legislative programme. One such review looks at taxation, and proposals include cutting bureaucracy and saving British business some 14 billion Sterling a year, while the review considers changes in the tax structure. Part of this review, co-chaired by former Cabinet Minister and Welsh Minister John Redwood, proposes abolishing inheritance tax. Inheritance tax is increasingly an issue for Britain's middle classes as property rises have risen significantly in recent years, and with the current threshold of 300,000 Sterling more and more people are having to pay inheritance tax, with popular newspapers such as the Daily Mail regularly running stories but how ordinary people are being caught up with the tax, especially in southern England where even a three bedroom semi detached house is often over 300,000.

With three landslide election victories under his belt, Tony Blair left Downing Street as the UK's Prime Minister undefeated electorally, in much the same way Margaret Thatcher had done seventeen years earlier. Taking Tony Blair's place as Prime Minister, and leader of the Labour Party in Britain, is Gordon Brown, who had been Chancellor of the Exchequer since the day Labour won office in 1997, and who nearly everyone in British politics assumed would take over as Prime Minister once Tony Blair had left on June 27 this year. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown steered to the British economy to it's longest period of economic growth in her history, and he left the Treasury with inflation and unemployment at low levels, and a record number of people in Britain in full time employment.

Real estate in Mallorca has been popular for several decades now, with many Europeans who have holidayed on the Spanish island deciding to buy a second home for holidays, a business, or for retirement. Prices have risen on the island as buyers - mainly British and German - have moved in, but there are mixed signals coming from the property and tourist sectors, which could see a freeze in Majorca property inflation, and possibly even a dip in prices in the near future. Official figures for Majorca holidays this year indicate an increase in tourist numbers by between five and seven per cent.

Britain's favourite TV soap and the world's longest running drama, Coronation Street, has boosted interest in the island of Malta, according to UK based Malta holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com Aired in late July and early August, the soap ran a storyline of two of Coronation Street's characters taking a last minute holiday to the island.

Going through some years of a declining tourist market, the Mediterranean island of Malta is now seeing a revival in her fortunes as a mainstream tourist destination. The prospects for the island have improved dramatically over the last year.

The superyacht industry has blossomed over the last ten years, with multi millionaires and billionaires buying yachts in the tens of millions of Euros price range - and when it comes to some billionaires they seem intent on buying a fleet that would put some small countries navies to shame. Despite being the second smallest country in the world Monaco has established herself as the natural European home for many of the world's wealthiest men and women due to her tax haven status, with many more visiting on holiday while cruising the Mediterranean for the Monte Carlo casino - and Monaco has managed to stay as a top destination by cleverly spotting and exploiting trends ahead of her competitiors. The Monaco Yacht Show is part of the attraction for the super-rich, and has firmly established itself as the leading super yacht show in the world over the last fifteen years.

Hardly known outside of the skiing and financial communities, the small European tax haven of Andorra has seen some startling rises in her property values in the last two years, with a repeat performance in 2007 possible. In 2005 property inflation hit 19 per cent, and in 2006 the official property inflation reached sixteen per cent, and according to Andorra real estate specialists Tribune Properties 2007 is likely to see a further ten per cent rise. 'There are three streams of buyers for Andorra', say Tribune, 'An active local market, second home buyers looking for ski apartments, and international buyers who want to gain residency in a tax haven.

European tax haven Monaco has led the small countries of the world in the campaign to heighten awareness of environmental issues since Prince Albert became Sovereign in 2005, and has launched a radical plan of its own to cut carbon emissions. One of the first acts Prince Albert took when succeeding to the throne upon his father's death was to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Along with the USA and Australia, Monaco was one of the few countries not to sign up to the treaty intended to cut greenhouses gases. Included in a campaign by Prince Albert to protect the environment has been an expedition to the Arctic to see for himself how global warming has begun to melt the glaciers, and shortly after his return he started a foundation to study rising sea levels and how to address what he sees as environmental challenges. Monaco travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com comment that given the Principality's position in the Mediterranean, concern at rising sea levels should come as no surprise. 'There are plans at an advanced stage to build an island off Monte Carlo, which will change the Monaco map, and the district of Fontvieille is largely reclaimed from the sea.' The island is expected to be complete in ten years time, and will include the first new hotels in Monaco for some time. Prince Albert recently spent time with fellow royal and campaigner for the environment Prince Charles. 'Most notable of all', comment YourMonaco, 'Prince Albert chose a mansion in the Kalorama district of Washington D.C.

A flight from London to Malta that didn't depart on December 26 has set alarm bells ringing on the holiday island of Malta. The flight operator, well known and popular European airline Ryanair, claims no flight was scheduled, while one newspaper said they had a photograph showing a departure board with 'cancelled' next to the flight number. The Malta tourist industry pushed for low cost airlines to be allowed to operate to the island in the hope of arresting the recent decline in visitor numbers, and agreement was reached with Ryanair, with the inaugural flight from Luton in November. With a projected 80,000 to 100,000 extra tourists a year, the arrival of new flights to Malta has been warmly welcomed and seen by many as the saviour of the holidays and hotel industry, with a knock on effect for the property for sale industry to overseas buyers. The exisiting carriers, including the national airline Air Malta, have responded with offers of their own, and the price of flying to Malta has come down significantly in the last few months. But what looks like a cancelled flight due to a lack of passengers has sounded alarm bells on the holiday island. 'The Malta hotels and holiday industry was looking forward to the year ahead with a sense of optimism', comment local travel guide http://www.yourmalta.com, 'The extra tourists being brought in by Ryanair is a major boost for the island's economy.

With a population of under 40,000 Monaco could be forgiven for believing that overseas embassies were an unnecessary expense. Until now the world's second smallest country has been content to co-operate with French embassies around the world for any necessary representation. But Monaco has just opened her first independent embassy outside of Europe - in Washington D.C. Commenting on the new embassy, local Monaco travel guide YourMonaco.com say that despite the population equivalent of a small US town, other reasons could be behind the move. 'Forget about this being primarily for Monegasques running into trouble in the US and needing assistance.

Good news for the holiday island of Malta has come in droves recently, following a period of decline in visitor numbers. Commenting upon the findings, local travel guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that while the spending per passenger while in Malta is small compared to holidaymakers, it's an important contribution to the island's economy. 'The spend is estimated at around US $10,000,000.

Visitor numbers have been in decline on the Mediterranean island of Malta, but the hope is that 2007 will see new life breathed into her hotel and holidays industry. The Malta hotels and holiday industry are major players in the island's economy, and with unemployment already high, a further drop in the number of visitors next year could have a negative impact not just in tourism but for Malta as a whole. Throughout the year the monthly statistics for the number of tourists visiting Malta have made depressing reading for the Malta hotels, and the next twelve months will be pivotal as to whether the island can stay in the mainstream of holiday destinations, or be relegated to niche travel status. The island was rife with rumours earlier in the year that a UK tour operator was going to withdraw the island from their 2007 brochures, and a survey in the island's biggest market showed that Malta would be more expensive for British tourists than the Canary and Balearic Islands for equivalent holidays next year. But more recent news has brought hope to the Malta holidays market that 2007 will see an arrest in the decline of visitor numbers seen this year, with MyTravel surprising the holidays in Malta market by announcing an increase in the number of winter visitors it will be taking from the UK to Malta. But the most positive news has come from low cost carrier RyanAir, who have started flights to Malta from London and Dublin. Between announcing the Dublin and London routes and the maiden flight to Malta, Ryanair sold 30,000 tickets.

The call for new taxes on flights to reduce carbon emissions could impact the prices of properties, according to Tribune Properties, who specialise in the sale of overseas property to second home buyers. 'There has been more discussion and calls for action recently over the impact that air travel is having on the environment,' say Tribune, 'And one of the most obvious ways to cut air travel is to raise the price of travelling through taxes.

The incoming population of Europe's favourite tax haven is changing, according to Monaco travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com Best known of Europe's tax havens, Monaco has also been seen as a social gathering and vacation destination for the rich - and home to successful businessmen enjoying the zero per cent income tax policy. With the social highlights of the Monaco Grand Prix, the luxury yacht show and the casino, the image of Monaco's incoming population could be misconstrued as a male dominated business orientated environment, with women taking their place behind the casino dealing tables and the pit lanes for the Monaco Grand Prix. But the incoming mix is changing, and with it Monaco and Monte Carlo's image. YourMonaco.com say that the change has been noticeable in recent years, with more women taking top positions in the banks and finance houses of Monte Carlo. 'Even ten years ago it would almost certainly have been a man you would be seeing if you wanted to open a bank account in Monaco.

A second leading international estate agency has backed predictions made by Malta property specialists Tribune properties that Malta could see steep price rises in the year ahead. Revealing their thoughts about European property for 2007, Knight Frank have placed Malta among a list of 7 European countries anticipated to see property inflation of ten per cent and more. While Malta could see a rise of 12.5 per cent, other countries on the list are Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and Turkey. Commenting on the report, Tribune Properties at http://www.maltaproperty.info say they are not surprised at Knight Frank's price rise forecast. 'Some estate agents on the island have doubted that the arrival of new low cost flights to Malta would have much of an impact on the island's property prices as there is an oversupply of houses.

Studio apartments are already at over US $1,000,000, but Monaco property prices could still rise steeply in the next couple of years, and Europe's favourite tax haven could be out of reach for more millionaires according to a local travel guide. Different recent surveys have all been good indicators for Monaco, showing more people likely to apply for residency and buy property in Monaco.

The announcement by a major UK tour operator that it is to expand its operations in Malta as a response to increased demand has caught some in the island's holiday and hotel industry by surprise. The news from MyTravel comes after an agreement with Air Malta to increase flight capacity to the island for its customers.

Global warming and the environment have been the top issues for Prince Albert of Monaco, and while he is preparing to mark the first year of his succession to the Principality of Monaco, a local destination guide http://www.yourmonaco.com suggests that the second smallest country in the world is in safe hands and can look forward to years of progressive economic and social policies that extend well beyond the borders of Monaco. 'Prince Albert has changed his playboy image', they say, 'since coming to power he has taken the initiative on environmental issues, for example in April he went to the North Pole to draw attention to his fellow world leaders that the environment should be top of their agenda, and he has made a concerted effort to put the environment on the map of Monaco issues that need addressing'. The environment seems to be of particular concern to Prince Albert, and with this in mind the 2006 Monaco Yacht Show was carbon neutral.

Monte Carlo attracted the new rich Russians a decade ago, but a decade later it's the British - using conventional banking methods and with it a degree of respectability - who are investing in Europe's top tax haven. While the British have been players in the region for nearly two hundred years, with Nice just along the coast being a favourite resort of the genteel Victorian English - in recent years the British have held a presence in Monaco, but now they're back in numbers not seen for over a century. The new wave of British buyers is welcomed by Monaco real estate agents as their funds are more likely to be legitimately earned, while some of the 90's Russian cash was often a little suspect. 'Things have changed since the 90's when the Russian mafia were the big players in town', explains a Monte Carlo property agency, 'Then it was easy to put a few million cash down for a property and not have questions asked.

A repeat of the high property inflation in Malta when it joined the EU in 2004 could become reality with the news that low cost airlines are to fly to Malta, and has given the Mediterranean island's real estate industry hope that 2007 could be an exceptional year for price rises and sales. In recent years the arrival of low cost - sometimes referred to as 'no frills' - airlines to a regional airport has seen property prices within a two hour drive escalate in popularity and price, especially among British buyers for France and Spain. With the advent of these new flights to Malta, there is a possibility that demand for real estate in Malta will increase. Commenting on the news, Malta holidays guide http://www.yourmalta.com say that a double digit property inflation figure for Malta is quite possible for 2007. 'Cheap airline destinations have proved to be a magnet for UK property investors, and if that trend continues then prices will go up in the next twelve to twenty four months', they say. 'Other than the local market, the UK provides most buyers for property in Malta, and with the British economy doing well it's quite possible that the island will be seen as a good investment opportunity'. Malta Vacation Tribune Properties, a UK company specialising in property for sale in Malta, agree that property prices could rise in 2007. 'With lower fares, Malta becomes a destination viable for 3 and 4 days trips a few times a year from the UK, and that will attract buyers to look at Malta in the same way they do France and Spain when considering where to buy a holiday home abroad.